DOZENS of yobs chased foreign students through Chester city centre during a night of shame when six overseas people were injured.

Wednesday's trouble started with an incident at about 7.30pm outside McDonald's in Town Hall Square in which four English girls attacked a group of Italian girls.

A 17-year-old Italian was struck in the face with a stilleto shoe and had to be taken by ambulance to the Countess of Chester Hospital where she received stitches. Her 15-year-old friend ended up with a suspected broken nose and two younger girls were punched.

Then, at about 10pm more than 200 youths rampaged down Northgate Street with local teenagers chasing foreign students and fighting among themselves.

Two Italian boys were injured. One has a tooth broken and the other was hit on the side of his face.

Eyewitness Nicola Vare, of Becketts Lane, Boughton Heath, described the second attack on the young visitors as a frenzy and said she was 'ashamed of our kids'.

That sentiment was echoed by Chester City Council leader John Price, who apologised on behalf of the city to the foreign students.

When told by The Chronicle yesterday about the night of violence, he said: 'This is very, very sad indeed.

'Chester is a welcoming city and most of its residents are more than happy to extend the hand of friendship to people who are coming here essentially to learn English.

'As far as I am concerned, I would unreservedly apologise to the students and I wil work with the relevant agencies to try to ensure it never happens again.'

The rampage through Northgate Street followed an 'End of Year Party' for 14 to 17-year-olds at Rosie's nightclub.

A large number of foreign students were in the area at the same time having been bowling and to Laserquest. Several had to be locked inside McDonald's for their own protection.

Cheshire Constablulary spokeswoman Jacquie Hanson confirmed officers had been called to a disturbance in Town Hall Square at 7.40pm in which a teenage girl was injured.

Police are also investigating the reported violence that flared in Northgate Street later in the evening.

Last year an Italian student on a trip to Chester organised by West Cheshire College was the victim of an unprovoked attack near the home of his host family. That prompted an apology by the then Lord Mayor, Reggie Jones, on behalf of the city.